A new and powerful tool in the battle against salvinia, one of the most damaging aquatic weeds in Australia, is now available.

The 80 page, full-colour manual for the control and management of salvinia, an aquatic Weed of National Significance, has been produced by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in partnership with the Australian Government.

The manual is the most comprehensive guide to the management and control of this invasive weed that is available.

It will allow people to develop sitespecific management strategies for controlling salvinia, as it brings together insights from past field practices, scientific literature, and the experience of weed managers and experts.

Four case studies are included to highlight specific management strategies, particularly those involving biological control and physical removal methods.

The manual is an excellent reference guide that will help weed managers across the country significantly reduce the future environmental and economic costs of salvinia.

Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is a floating waterweed that originated in South America.

It was introduced for ornamental purposes but has since spread to much of eastern Australia’s streams.

It has been classified as a Weed of National Significance because of its invasiveness and its severe environmental, economic and social impacts.

Salvinia has a devastating impact on waterways because it forms a dense floating mat that covers the entire water surface, causing loss of fish and bird life, clogging irrigation equipment and increasing evaporation.

The salvinia control manual has been compiled by Dr Elissa van Oosterhout in the weeds unit of NSW DPI at the Grafton Agricultural Research and Advisory Station.

The Salvinia control manual, Management and control options for salvinia (Salvinia molesta) in Australia, can be obtained from the NSW DPI bookshop, (02) 6391 3801, or can be downloaded in full, or in part from www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/weeds .

Contact Dr Elissa van Oosterhout, Grafton, (02) 6640 1600.